GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2022
Contact: Ryan Zimmerman
Phone: 219-882-2255
[email protected] 

A Pair of Pitchers Join the RailCats 

Gary, IN – As the 2022 season rapidly approaches, the Gary SouthShore RailCats add two talented arms to their pitching staff in Harrison Francis and Leif Strom. 

At just 23 years old, Francis brings a wealth of professional baseball experience to the U.S. Steel Yard. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected him in the 4th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft straight out of high school, and he went on to play four seasons in their farm system. Francis enjoyed his best success in 2018, his first full season as a pro. He split time that season between the team’s Arizona League and short-season affiliates, the AZL Diamondbacks and Hillsboro Hops, and posted an 8-0 record with 60 strikeouts in 14 appearances over 53.1 innings. Francis most recently pitched for the Visalia Rawhide, formerly of Low-A West, last season. 

“Harrison is an excellent young talent who still possesses the pitching abilities that convinced the Diamondbacks to draft him as high as they did” manager Lamarr Rogers said. “Now that he’s refocused and re-energized, I think Harrison will fit in well with what we’re trying to build in Gary.” 

Strom, 24, spent three seasons in the Washington Nationals organization after they selected him in the 21st round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft. The 6-6, 240-pound right-hander pitched across three affiliates in 2019 and spent the 2021 season with the Fredericksburg Nationals, the team’s Low-A affiliate. 

“Leif is a big-bodied, firm-throwing hurler who’s only one year removed from being an impact pitcher for the Nationals’ Single-A affiliate” manager Lamarr Rogers said. “He has a lot to prove, and I think his skillset along with that energy is going to be a big boost to our pitching staff.” 

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The RailCats 2022 season begins at the Steel Yard on Friday, May 20 vs Lincoln Saltdogs. Season tickets packages and group outings for the 2022 season can be reserved by calling 219-882-2255 or emailing [email protected].